New Pension Scheme for all on and from 1st May,2009.

All citizens of the country will be able to avail of pension facility from tomorrow, with the interim pension regulator Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) confirming the scheduled launch of the mega pension plan in a statement today.
"The necessary infrastructure for the rollout of New Pension System (NPS) is now ready and it will be available to all citizens of India from May 1, 2009," PFRDA said.

Tier-I of NPS constituting non-withdrawable pension account will become operational from tomorrow and Tier-II (withdrawable account) of the NPS account will become operational in about six months.

Pension fund managers will manage three separate schemes, each investing in a different asset class. These asset classes are equity, government securities and credit risk-bearing fixed income instruments.

"On the basis of recommendations of the NPS Trust and on advice from the government, it has been decided that investment by an NPS participant in equity would be subject to a cap of 50 per cent," it said.

The authority has appointed 22 points of presence (PoP) and six pension fund managers. Branches of the registered PoPs, to be called PoP Service Providers, will be the contact and collection point for all citizens other than government employees wanting to obtain a Permanent Retirement Account Number (PRAN).

The investment will only be in index funds that replicate either BSE sensitive index or NSE Nifty 50 index. The subscriber will have the option to actively decide as to how the investment will be in the three asset classes.

In the event of the subscriber being unable or unwilling to decide, his contribution will be invested according to the 'auto choice' option, which is based on a predefined portfolio varying with the age of the subscriber.

The NPS architecture has been operational for central government employees for over a year now - since April 1, 2008, and the NPS corpus amounting to over Rs 2,100 crore stands invested in it.

"...The three pension funds have generated returns varying from 12 per cent to 16 per cent on the NPS corpus during the year 2008-09, weighted average return being over 14.5 per cent," PFRDA said citing unaudited results.

The states are at different stages of adopting NPS.

In August 2008, the government advised PFRDA to extend NPS, currently subscribed to by government employees, to all citizens on a voluntary basis.

Central government employees, who joined service on or after January 1, 2004, are covered under NPS. Unlike the old pension scheme, in NPS both employees and the employer (in this case, government) contributed an equal amount to the pension fund. Twenty-one states have also joined the scheme.
Source : PTI/Business Standard.

Punjab govt issues notification to implement revised pay scales for employees

The Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal Thursday approved the implementation of the revised pay scales w.e.f. January 01 ,2006 to its employees in wake of the recommendations of the 5th Punjab Pay Commission and the Implementation Committee subsequently constituted by the State Government.

The state government however didn't notify the amended grades which Pay Commission had revised after submitting the final report. The Pay Commission citing typing mistake had written to state government to implement the pay scales with certain amendments benefitting Teachers, Nursing Staff and Policmen.

A spokesman of the Punjab Government said that Badal cleared the file to enable the state government to implement the new pay scales according to the General Conversion and the Fitment Tables as recommended by the Pay Commission. The Chief Minister also approved the rate of annual increment to be granted to the employees at the time of fixation as recommended by the Pay Commission.

The Commission has recommended huge financial benefits to about 3 lakh employees and 2.60 lakh pensioners imposing an additional expenditure of Rs. 2050 crores per annum for serving employees and Rs. 650 crores for pensioners. Recommendations of the Commission are estimated to cost Rs. 3450 crores for serving employees and Rs. 1350 crores for pensioners for payment of arrears. The cabinet has already approved the implementation of pay commission report.

View the Govt. Notification and Conversion Table issued on 27.05.2009.

[We are garteful to www.punjabnewsline.com and duly acknowledge the link provided to help our viewers]

Supreme Court sets up panel for enhanced pay to lower courts judges

The Supreme Court today constituted a one-man committee headed by senior advocate E Padmanabham to make recommendations for increase in pay scales and allowances for judges of the lower judiciary.

A bench of Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and P Sathasivam said the committee would submit its report to the court by July 28, so that appropriate orders could be passed on it.

The bench passed the direction while dealing with an application moved by the All India Judges Association seeking enhanced pay structure to junior civil judges, senior civil judges, district judges (entry level), district judges (selection grade) and district judges (super time selection grade.

According to the Association, the enhanced pay structures had become necessary in terms of the Justice Shetty Committee recommendations (first national judicial pay commission) that the salary structures of these judges be revised upward whenever the salaries of the high court judges are enhanced.

Since the central government had in a notification issued on January 1, 2009, enhanced the salaries and allowances of High Court and Supreme Court judges, the revision in pay scales of lower court judges had also become necessary, the Association had contended, following which the apex court constituted the committee.

Punjab announces 10% Dearness Allowance for employees and pensioners.

Visit the recent [May 2010] D.A. news


Good news in the election time.

Punjab Government has announced to enhance the rate of dearness allowance (DA) payable to the State Government employees, Pensioners/ Family Pensioners from 54% to 64 % w.e.f. 1.1.2009 on the Central Govt. pattern.

The amount of DA from 1.1.2009 to 30-4-2009 would be credited to the General Provident Fund Accounts of the employees and for the period from 1.5.2009 enhanced DA would be paid in cash.

However in the case of pensioners, Dearness Relief shall be paid in cash w.e.f 1.1.2009.

EC grants approval for implementing Punjab Pay Commission report and grant DA

The Election Commission of India Saturday approved to grant Dearness Allowance @ 10% to the employees of the Punjab Government on the Central Pattern w.e.f January 1, 2009.

Disclosing this here a spokesman of the Office of Chief Electoral officer, Punjab said that the Election Commission of India also gave approval to place the report of the 5th Punjab Pay Commission with the recommendations of implementation committee
before the council of Ministers for final decision.

With this nod there will be no obstacle to clear the pay hike as it is already passed in the cabinet in advance.

Non Functional Upgradation for Officers of Organised Group A services.

DOPT has issued an order on 24.04.2009 regarding upgradation of officers of Indian Administrative Services. This order has been issued consequent upon the implementation of VIth CPC.

"Whenever an IAS officer of the state or joint cadre is posted at the centre to a particular grade carrying a specific grade pay in PB 3 or PB 4, the officer belongs to batches of Organised Group A services that are senior by two years or more and have not so far been promoted to that particular grade would be granted the same grade on non-functional basis from the date of posting of the IAS officers in that particular grade at the centre."

"Pay fixation under on grant of non functional upgradation under these orders will be done as per the provisions CCS(RP) Rules,2008i.e. the officers will be granted one increment @3% of basic pay and the difference of grade pay will be added to their basic pay."

View the Govt. Order.

New classification of posts consequent upon VIth CPC

As per DOPT Order Memo No.S.O.946(E)the classification of Group A/B/C/D has been changed.
1. Pay Band 3, Pay band 4 and Higher : Group A [Grade Pay 5400 and higher]
2. Pay band 2 : Group B [Grade Pay 4200 to 5400]
3. Pay band 1 : Group C [Grade Pay 1800 to 2800]
4. Scale of Pay 1S : Group D [Grade pay 1300 to 1650]**

** Till the posts are upgraded.

This notification has been published in the Gazette of India on April 09,2009.

View the Gazette Notification.

Punjab Govt is going to implement UGC scales soon.

Punjab government has decided to implement the UGC pay scales for college and university teachers following threat by teachers to boycott the ongoing examinations.

The central government had issued notification of new pay scales for college and university teachers on December 31,2008 and asked all state governments to implement the new grades. Punjab government however failed to implement the new pay scales despite repeated meetings between Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and teachers union leaders. The eighty percent grant of revised pay scales would be given by center government and 20 percent share will be contributed by Punjab government.

The state government has written to Election Commission of India to give permission to implement the UGC pay scales. A government spokesman said that decision was taken to implement the center govt notification and EC cant prevent state government from doing it. The state government would bear extra burden of Rs.250 crores with the implementation of UGC grades. Center government had notified the UGC pay scales along with recommendations of sixth pay commission.

It is beleived that SAD-BJP government had deliberately delayed the implementation of UGC pay scales to get its benefit in the election day.

Souce : PunjabNewslne.com.

Army Pay Hike : Amended orders for Lt Cols’ pay notified

After a seven-month-long fight demanding pay parity with their civilian counterparts, over 15,000 officers of the armed forces will take home enhanced salaries from this month.

The armed forces headquarters on Tuesday notified amended orders to place the 15,000 Army Lieutenant Colonels, IAF Wing Commanders and Navy Commanders under Pay Band-4 of the Sixth Pay Commission.

However, these officers, who form the backbone of the armed forces’ fighting units, are not “entirely” happy with the notification, citing the lower Grade Pay of Rs 8,000 accorded to them compared to Rs 8,400 to their civilian counterparts under the new pay commission that came into effect on September 1 last year.

“The amended notification for placing Lt Cols and equivalents in Pay Band-4 of the Sixth Pay Commission has been issued today,” sources in the tri-services headquarters said in New Delhi.

“We are not entirely happy with it, as the parity in grade pay with our civilian services counterparts is not been met, though our long wait for enhanced pay is now over,” a Lt Col-rank officer in the Services headquarters in New Delhitold PTI.

But, the several lakhs of jawans, who form the fighting force, are still awaiting the notification for restoration of 70 per cent pensionary weightage, a Sixth Pay Commission anomaly that all sections of the government agreed was fully justified.

Source : PTI

BSNL wage revision talk failed, programme for agitation chalked out.

Wage Negotiating Committee meeting held today (22.04.2009) and the talks failed. BSNL Management refused to meet the Minimum Demands on Interim Relief and Fitment Formula. In protest, the Staff Side Staged Walkout from the meeting declaring Trade Union Action. The following programme of Trade Union Action are decided by the United Forum.

Programme of Action

24.04.2009 One Day Fast While on Duty

19.05.2009 & 20.05.2009 Two Days' Strike

If no improvement is seen, it is decided to declare Indefinite Strike during the

First Week of June 2009.

Source : BSNL Employees' Union.

Punjab seek EC nod for implementation of pay report, forms seven member pay panel report implementation Committee

The State government has sought the permission of the Election Commission of India to place the report of the fifth Punjab Pay Commission along with the recommendations of the implementation committee before the Council of ministers for final decision so that the benefits are passed to the employees.

In a letter to the EC, State Chief Secretary Ramesh Inder Singh mentioned that since the Pay Commission has submitted its report and the same is under process/examination, an official release said on Wednesday.

The Punjab Government today constituted a 7-member Implementation Committee for the implementation of the recommendations of the 5th Punjab Pay Commission under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Ramesh Inder Singh and directed it to submit its report with in 2 weeks.

Disclosing this here Wednesday a spokesman of the Punjab government said that the other members of the committee would comprise Financial Commissioner Revenue Romilla Dubey, Financial Commissioner Taxation SS Brar, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister DS Guru, Financial Commissioner Development NS Kang and Secretary Personnel Iqbal Singh Sidhu. Principal Secretary Finance SC Aggarwal would be the member secretary of the committee.

The implementation committee would initially go into the general recommendations of the 5th Punjab Pay Commission. The proposals with the views of the committee shall be put up by the department of Finance to the Council of Ministers’ Meeting (CMM) for final decision. While considering the recommendations concerning specific department, the administrative secretaries and heads of the department would be associated by the committee.

The proposals in respect of individual departments with the views of the committee would be processed and a consolidated memorandum placed before the CMM by the Finance department. The quorum of the meetings of the committee would be three but it should be necessary that the Chairman and the Finance Secretary were present in the meeting.

It may be recalled that the Chairman of the Fifth Punjab Pay Commission SK Tuteja submitted the report to the Punjab government on April 20. The Cabinet had already given in-principle approval for the implementation of the recommendations of the pay commission.

Source : The Hindu and local News Agency.

Punjab pay hike just after poll, Govt. cleared 10% DA for employees and pensioners, waiting for EC nod.

The state government employees are expected to get the benefit of fifth pay commissionimmediately after the Lok Sabha poll.

Sukhbir Badal, Deputy Chief Minister in a statement here said that Punjab Cabinet has already resolved to accept in principle the recommendations of 5th. Punjab Pay Commission immediately on submission of report in its meeting held on March 2 and Congress's misleading propaganda was reflecting its frustration.

Badal said that it was the SAD-BJP government that implemented the recommendations of Fourth Punjab Pay Commission and now we have the privilege to implement the recommendations of Fifth Pay Commission. He said that Punjab Cabinet before the elections had already resolved to accept the recommendations in principle, whenever the report was to be submitted by the Commission. He said that now the Commission has submitted the report, the State government would implement the decision of the cabinet and process the report for early implementation. He said that Punjab government has already cleared the payment of 10% dearness allowance for the all its employees and pensioners and the government was waiting for the nod of Election Commission.

Badal said that SAD-BJP government was fully alive to the welfare of its employees and it always took pro-active stand for their welfare. He said that Amarinder who was taking credit for setting of the Pay Commission, deliberately did not notified its terms of reference so that Commission could have started its work early and submitted report timely to the government. He said that it was SAD-BJP government that notified the terms of reference of the Commission and requested it to expedite the report.

Seeking public apology for misguiding the employees, Badal said that role of Congress in scuttling the work of Pay Commission has been fully exposed and it should apologize to the Punjab employees for delaying their rightful due.

Punjab Pay Commission submits report, 27 percent average hike for all employees

The Chairman of the Fifth Punjab Pay Commission SK Tuteja Monday submitted the report to the State Chief Secretary Ramesh Inder Singh here at latter’ s office. Tuteja was accompanied by the members of the Commission Amarjit Singh Oberoi and Prof. BS Ghuman and the Member Secretary RC Nayyar.

The Punjab Pay Commission has recommended to implement the revised pay scales from January 1,2006. Recommendations relating to allowances to be implemented from the date of notification by the Governmen

The highlights of the Fifth Punjab Pay Commission’s Repot are enumerated below:
Pay Scales, Allowances and Pensions of Punjab Government employees revised. Average increase to be around 27%.The Retirement age for all employees to be 60.Implementation of the revised pay scales from January 1,2006. Recommendations relating to allowances to be implemented from the date of notification by the Government.Five distinct running pay bands with longer spans being recommended-one running band each for all categories in groups D,C and B and 2 running pay bands for Group ‘A’.

Each post has a distinct Grade Pay attached to it. Grade pay is linked to its seniority in the hierarchy.Total number of Pay Scales to remain 32, spread across five distinct running pay bands.Several categories of employees such as Teachers, Nurses, and Constabulary to get higher pay scales.

A person stagnating at the maximum of any pay band for more than one year continuously to be placed in the immediate next higher pay band without any change in the grade pay.
Source : Punjabnewsline.com

Download Punjab Fifth pay Commission Report.

After submission of the report, the commission noticed some typographical mistakes at pages 85, 102, 159-162. The same has been corrected and forwarded to the Govt on 21.04.2009.

View the Corrections

Highlights of Fifth Pay Commission

• Salary of school teachers, headmasters, principals, nurses and constabulary raised.
• Dearness allowance hiked to 22 per cent.
• House rent allowance to range between 10 percent to 30 percent according to location.
• Employees allowed 10 days of leave for LTC.
• Education allowance of Rs 500 per child per month for two children.
• Fixed medical allowance raised to Rs 500 per month.
• Mobile allowance varying from Rs 100 to Rs 500 recommended for all employees.
• Non-Practicing allowance of 25 per cent of basic pay for ayurvedic, homoeopathic and veterinary doctors also.
• Officers on deputation as faculty members to training institutions to get 30% deputation allowance.
• Risk insurance to replace risk allowance.
• One increment recommended for Group ‘C’ and ‘D’ employees for limiting family size to two children; additional increment if employee has only two daughters.
• Ex-gratia to be increased from Rs1 lakh to Rs 3 lakhs in case of death in harness and from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 10 lakh for death while on duty.
• Payment of interest subsidy of 2 percent by the government on bank loans.
• Increase in entitlements on road travel, train and air travel.
• Interest-free marriage loan for daughters increased to Rs 50,000.

Punjab Congress seeks implementation of Pay Commission recommendations immediately

The working president of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee Lal Singh today demanded the immediate implementation of the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission in the state.

He pointed out, the Chairman of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Campaign Committee, Capt Amarinder Singh has been demanding for a long time its implementation, but the state government was delaying it and hence denying its employees the crucial benefits.

In a statement issued here today, Singh observed, the state government seems to be deliberately delaying the implementation of the pay commission recommendations. He said, the government was just holding out the lollypop to the employees that the recommendations would be implemented after the elections.

The PCC working president pointed out, the Election Commission of India had already cleared the implementation of the pay commission recommendations. Now it was solely upto the state government to implement it. “Any delay in implementing the recommendations would simply mean that the state government was not sincere towards its own employees”, he remarked, while adding, it (the state government) can no longer take the refuge under the excuse that due to the imposition of the election code of conduct the recommendations cannot be implemented.

Singh observed, the Akali-BJP government has at best been indifferent to the problems of the employees and at worst it has been hostile towards them. Otherwise, he asked, what is the logic in holding back the rightful due of the employees. He pointed out, given the skyrocketing of prices under Akali-BJP regime, the immediate implementation of the pay commission recommendations becomes more important.

Source : PunjabNewsline.com

ICAR Scientists' Pay Hiked

Indian Council of Agricultural Research has issued order regarding revision of pay for scientists following revision of pay scale of Central Government employees on recommendations of the VI CPC.

View The Order.

Jammu and Kashmir Pay Commission Notification {SRO 93, SRO 94 (I, II), SRO 95}

The Jammu and Kashmir Govt. Notification is available now.
The report is prepared as per the recommendation of Central sixth pay commission. The same pay band and grade pay concept is there. There are four pay bands and different grade pays starting from Rs 1300 to Rs 12000. There are four categories of CCA as per Grade Pay. Annual increment at the rate of 3%.

Notification of SRO 93 and Ready Reckoner

Notification of SRO 94 and Commutation value for pension

Notification of SRO 95 regarding HRA and CCA

These rules will come into force with effect from 1.1.2006 with effective date of implementation from 1st July 2009.

Jammu and Kashmir Pay hike order issued.

The government yesterday issued the eagerly awaited orders to formally implement the recommendations of the 6th Pay Commission in Jammu and Kashmir. In keeping with the agreement reached between the cabinet sub-committee and the Joint Consultative Committee of various employees associations, SRO 93 and SRO 94 were issued this evening to give effect to the revision of pay scales of government employees and pensioners.
The 100-page SROs were issued following clearance by the Election Commission as required by the Model Code of Conduct present in force in view of parliamentary polls.
The chief electoral officer, BR Sharma, told Greater Kashmir on Wednesday that the government had approached the EC earlier this month seeking permission to issue the SROs. “The permission has been conveyed to the government,” he said.
Sources said the SROs contained the details about the 6th Pay Commission and other demands of the employees based on the agreement reached between the government and the employees’ conglomerate, JCC, on February 17 this year. Copies of the SROs were handed over to the JCC leaders this evening.
However, the employees associations have cautiously reacted to the issue of the SROs. They threatened to resume the agitation in case any changes had been effected in the report of the S L Bhat Committee or the agreement reached between the cabinet sub committee and the JCC.
Setting at rest any misgivings among the employees, the chief minister, Omar Abdullah, had held out an assurance that the SROs would be issued by 15th of April. The SROs take care of various pay anomalies and other issues. The employees leaders, including the president of the Non-Gazetted Civil Secretariat Employees Union, Nazir Ahmad Mir, and the Employees Joint Action Committee leaders, Muhammad Khursheed Alam and Abdul Qayoom Wani, have welcomed the step and thanked the chief minister, Omar Abdullah, for keeping his promise.
The revised pay structure of the employees would be made effective from July 1, 2009, with notional increments from January 1, 2006. The salaries for the month of July, 2009, will be drawn as per the revised pay structure.

By Courtesy : Greater Kashmir daily English Newspaper.

View latest Update

BSNL wage revision talk as on 15th April 2009.

In the meeting of the wage negotiation held today, 15^th April 2009, the management proposed that for five year period agreement, fitment benefit would be less than 30% but it can be bargained. Union demanded that the fitment benefit should be as per executives with five year periodicity also. Management side proposed three times of basic pay as advance, The Union rejected it and demanded that it should be a substantial amount. The official side will discuss with the management the demand of the staff side and will hold next meeting shortly.

The Unions threatened strike if the justified demands of the workers are not accepted.

Punjab Teachers' Pay Hike : PFUCTO threatens boycott of ongoing university exams

Disappointed with the response of the Punjab Govt. on the issue of the implementation of UGC pay scales on the basis Minisetry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) notification dated Dec 31, 2008, Punjab Federation of University and College Teachers Organizations (PFUCTO) has given a notice to the Govt. that they will boycott ongoing university examinations for 2 days after giving a short notice.

Dr. Jagwant Singh, General Secretary, PFUCTO said that he has written to the Punjab Govt. 4 times during last 5 weeks on the subject, which has failed to respond. This has forced them to resort to protest which will cause avoidable inconvenience to thousands of students and delay the next academic session. Dr. Jagwant Singh said that PFUCTO is of the view that model code of conduct does not apply in the case of UGC pay scales.

Firstly, higher education is on the ‘Concurrent List’ of the Constitution of India, therefore notification of Govt. of India has settled the issue on Dec 31, 2008. Secondly, the pay revision is under the Central Pay Commission under which all the relevant notifications have already been issued and therefore, it is only a case of completion of process. Dr. Raunki Ram, Vice-President PFUCTO said that the response of the Govt. left them groping in the dark and has forced them to take the decision. He said that Govt. should implement the decision taken on Feb 13, 2009 to send a message to the employees of the state that it is serious to implement the pay scales, which it is otherwise bound to implement sooner or later. It is noteworthy that Punjab CM, S. Parkash Singh Badal in a meeting with PFUCTO on Feb 13, 2009 had decided to implement the pay scales. However, nothing happened thereafter.

Source : PunjabNewsline.com

Punjab govt gets EC nod for submission of 5th Pay Commission report

Very Good News for Punjab Government Employees.

Punjab government on Tuesday got a shot in the arm when the Election Commission of India accepted its plea to allow submission of the report of 5th Punjab Pay Commission to the Government and its processing by the State Government.

A spokesman of Punjab Chief Electoral Officer Kusumjit Sidhu said that the ECI had reviewed the request of Punjab government in the light of new facts placed before it and state government was allowed to accept the Pay Panel report. Punjab Government has now conveyed to Chairman of the Pay Commission to submit its report immediately.

The Commission, which has completed its report, needed the Election Commission of India's permission to present the same to the state government in view of the model code conduct having been enforced due to coming Lok Sabha polls. The Punjab government had contended that the Pay Commission had already finalized the report as per the terms of reference issued by the state government on March 3, 2008 and the commission was asked to submit its report within a year by March 31, 2009.

The ECI had earlier on April 11 declined to give permission to pay commission to present its report on the request by Punjab made on April 6. Hoiwever on April 12 Punjab government sent a fresh request to ECI to review the earlier decision in the light of permission granted to Chhatisgarh state to implement the Pay Commission report.

The Punjab Government had established the 5th Pay Commission on December 19, 2006 and issued its terms of reference on March 3, 2008, which included inter-alia the submission of its report within one year.

The government employees were annoyed with the Punjab Government for delay in the implementation of pay commission report and it was conceived that delay is deliberate. Punjab government a day before implementation of code of conduct had in a cabinet meeting passed resolution to accept the pay commission report.

With ECI nod to Punjab government to go ahead with the pay commission report, the ruling alliance of SAD-BJP had felt a sigh of relief. A spokesman of the state government has said that they will proceed according to election commission's permission.

WE WILL TRY TO PROVIDE THE DETAILS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

Punjab Congress welcomes Election commission’s decision on Pay Commission

Punjab Congress on Tuesday welcomed the decision of Election commission for allowing the 5th pay commission, constituted by previous the congress government, to submit its report to Punjab government.

The working president of Punjab Pardesh Congress Committee Lal Singh said that he, immediately after taking the charge of party post on Sunday, has appealed Election Commission of India to reconsider its refusal on the submission of the fifth Punjab Pay Commission report.

Lal Singh said that Congress has always been supporting the state employees and has worked for their betterment both as a ruling party and in Opposition.

He said that the Fifth Pay Commission led by SK Tuteja, was constituted in September 2006 by previous Congress government headed by Capt. Amarinder Singh.

source : Punjabnewsline.com

Punjab govt requests EC to review Pay Panel report implementation

The Punjab government Sunday asked the Election Commission of India to review its refusal on the implementation of the recommendations of the 5th Punjab Pay Commission in the light of strong precedents set by the EC itself.
It may be recalled that the Election Commission had turned down the Punjab government's earlier request to his effect saying that this infringed upon the model code of election conduct. But the government today expressed surprise over the EC move and has sought reconsideration of the decision citing several examples of such permission having been granted by the Commission in the past.
Chief Minister's Media Advisor Harcharan Bains said here today that the government wanted a review of the decision in the light of Election Commission earlier go-ahead to the Chattisgarh for the implementation of pay panel report even while the election code was in force there. "We feel that this constitutes discrimination to the Punjab staff and we want the Commission to follow its own precedents in this regard. We have pointed this dichotomy out to the Commission and expect a favourable response," said Bains.
The Punjab government has contended that the Pay Commission had already finalized the report as per the terms of reference issued by the state government on March 3, 2008 and the commission was asked to submit its report within a year by March 31, 2009. As now the report is ready for the submission, the Chief Secretary has once again approached the Election Commission to seek its approval.
Bains further said that the state Cabinet had already given its approval in principle for the implementation of Pay Commission's Report in its last meeting held in the last week of February, well before the Model Code came into force. "Denial by the Election Commission to Punjab alone for implementing Pay Panel Report in would be hard to justify," observed the Media Advisor.
Source : Punjab NewsLine.

Punjab Pay Commission report only after election : Election Commission.

The Election Commission Saturday disapproved a proposal of the Akali Dal-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alliance government in Punjab to accept a report of the Fifth Punjab Pay Commission.The state government had moved a proposal seeking the poll panel’s approval to let the pay commission submit its report.
The state cabinet, in a bid to beat the imposition of the model code of conduct, had decided last month to accept the pay commission report in anticipation of its submission.
The report, when implemented, will benefit thousands of state government employees.
The Election Commission has asked the state government to defer it till the completion of elections in the state.

Election Commission approved pension hike for Gujarat

Much to the state govt’s relief, poll panel gives nod for implementation of 6th Pay Commission recommendations
About 3.50 lakh pensioners across Gujarat will heave a sigh of relief what with the Election Commission of India on Saturday giving its nod to the state government to implement the Sixth Pay Commission’s recommendations for the retired staff.
“The EC communicated this to our office this afternoon, and we, in turn, have informed the government about this development,” Additional Chief Electoral Officer (ACEO), Gujarat, Ashok Manek told Newsline this evening.
Pensioners across Gujarat had early this month not only threatened to launch an agitation, but also vote against the ruling BJP in the coming Lok Sabha elections, if the government failed to implement the Pay Commission’s recommendations for the retired bureaucrats.
Source : Express News Service

Manipur Govt Pay Hike Only From Next Year : Chief Minister

The Sixth Pay Commission recommendations would be implemented in the state from 2010 and backlogged salary of government employees would also be disbursed from April 13, chief minister O Ibobi Singh said during an election campaign meeting of Thangso Baite for the ensuing 15th Lok Sabha Outer Manipur election held today at Tangkhul Naga Long ground.The chief minister lamented that certain other political parties were deceitfully trying to use the Sixth Pay Commission as a beating stick against the Congress.He said that the government is aware of the protest by the government employees and added that the Sixth Pay Commission recommendation was delayed as state resources were very low. But after the 13th finance commission awards in 2010 it should be possible to implement it, he added.Regarding the non approval of contestants from some Outer areas of the valley, the chief minister said that the population was more than those in the hills areas and asked the people to bear for some more time.Gaikhangam, president MPCC said the Congress was a party without bias and said that its government has done a lot of development work and the NREGS has given works to many families and made them earn their a livelihood.Considering its performance, he appealed to the people to vote for Congress candidate Thangso Baite.Thangso Baite said he would protect the image of the state and would bring further change and asked the people to help him.The meeting was also attended by Rishang Keishing, MP Rajya Sabha, MLAs, ministers and leaders of the Congress party.

IIT IIM Pay Hike : Notification on AICTE Pay Revision only after general election

In a meeting with AIFPTO officials on 1 April 2009, Ms. Pratima Dixit Director (TC), MHRD, informed that  the UGC is still holding its notification for university teachers, the AICTE could not take any decision in the matter. She furthur added that the pay revision report would be finalized and notifed only after general elections are over.

Punjab Pay Commission report is waiting for Election Commission clearance.

The Punjab Government has sought the approval of Election Commission of India to enable the Chairman of 5th Punjab Pay Commission to present its report to the state government.

 

Disclosing this here Monday late at night a spokesman of the Punjab Government said that the State Chief Secretary R.I. Singh in a letter to the Chief Electoral Officer Punjab Kusumjit Sidhu had solicited the permission of Election Commission of India so that the Chairman of the 5th Punjab Pay Commission may be advised accordingly.

It may be recalled that the Punjab Government had established the 5th Pay Commission  on December 19, 2006 . The terms of reference of this Commission were issued on March 3, 2008 and the terms included inter-alia the submission of the report of Commission within one year.

The letter further indicated that accordingly after concluding the process of hearing of all concerned including departmental representatives the Commission has completed its report and is ready to present the same to the state government.

In view of the model code conduct having been enforced due to forth coming Lok Sabha polls, the Pay Commission requires the permission of Election Commission of India for presenting the report to the State Government.

Source : Punjab Newsline.

2nd Installment of arrear [60%] of 6th C.P.C may be paid only after specific order.

UPDATE : 60% Arrears Order issued

Railway Board has issued a clarification in this regard on 2nd April 2009 to all General Managers.

Order Memo No. S.No. PC - VI / 96 No.PC - VI/2009/I/RSRP/2 Pt.II dated 2nd April 2009 from F.No.12/6/2009-JCA-2 clearly states that no further arrear is payable except under issuance of specific order in this regard.

"Please refer sub-para (v) of para 3 of Board's letter No. PC-VI/2008/I/RSRP/1 dated 11-09-2008 (RBE No. 108/2008) wherein it was clarified that orders in regard to the payment of the second instrallment of arrears will be issued separately. In this regard, it is further clarified that the second installment of arrears should only be paid after specific's orders in thisregard are issued by Ministry of Railways / Railway Board. "

It may be easily assumed that the same methodology is to be followed in the case of all central Govt. employees.

Source : A popular website about Central Govt. Employees.

Modified ACP order only after election.

The modified ACP order as per sixth pay commission recommendation will take some more time to be published. As per sources, the Govt. has sought permission from the Election Commission to bring it out but the Commission returned the file stating that the ACP order can be released only after general election.

The major issues pending for the Govt employees are ACP, Medical facilities and different anomalies of Grade Pay due to merger of different pay scales, particularly in the earlier starting basic pay of 5000,5500 and 6500.

Source : National Federation of Postal Employees.

Poll code not to hit bank wage talks

Nearly 900,000 employees of public sector banks and the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) can look forward to early conclusion of the ongoing wage settlement.
The Indian Banks' Association (IBA) has concurred with the unions’ view that the model code of conduct that has come into play in the wake of elections being called will not apply to their talks.
The code prohibits government from announcing populist measures up to the elections.
“Wage negotiations will go on as usual. The code of conduct does not come into play in this case,” IBA chief executive, K Ramakrishna told Financial Chronicle.
IBA’s views would have a major bearing on LIC’s negotiations, since the latter generally takes a cue from the developments in the banking sector.
A five-year bipartite bank wage settlement is signed between bank unions with the IBA, the representative body of bank managements, while the LIC agreement is worked out between the management and unions. Once the settlement is reached, the details are sent to the finance ministry for approval. The earlier settlements ended in 2007.
Fearing a possible delay in concluding the negotiations, bank unions, under the umbrella body, the united forum of bank unions (UFBU) and the LIC employees’ unions had separately sought the intervention of stand-in finance minister, Pranab Mukherjee. “We seek your personal intervention so that the wage negotiations do not get strangled,” general secretary, All-India LIC Employees’ Federation, A V Nachane, had said in a letter to Mukherjee.
Nachane said that legal opinion suggested that the wage agreement could be signed in the run up to the elections.
“We are advised by ex-judge of the Supreme Court that the code of conduct does not interfere with the ongoing processes of wage negotiations where the money does not flow from the central funds of the government of India but from the funds of the respective institutions,” Nachane said. He refused to divulge the name of the judge.
Convenor, UFBU, C H Venkatachalam, told FC that, “Negotiations are on between IBA and the unions. Moreover, we are not drawing any funds from the consolidated fund of India.
Therefore, the model code of conduct should not impact the talks,” he said.
Venkatachalam said that a formal clarification will be sought from the election commission, if need be.
The talks will impact the monthly wages of nearly 7,50,000 employees of public sector banks and 1,14,000 LIC employees including officers.
The LIC unions are also striking a hard bargain with the management. “The management’s offer has been for a 12 per cent increase in wages. We would want at least 20 per cent hike,” B S Rawat, joint secretary, AILICEF, said.

Source : Financial Chronicle.

Central Government Holiday on 14th April 2009

It has been decided to declare Tuesday, the 14th April, 2009 as a Closed Holiday on account of the birthday of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, for all Central Government offices including industrial establishments throughout India.

The above holiday is also being notified in exercise of the powers conferred by

Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act of 1881 (26 of 1881).

View the Govt Notification.

All Govt. offices in West Bengal including Bank , LIC and other public sector organisations like the rest of the country will observe holiday on 14th April as the State Government has declared 14th April , a public holiday as per N.I. Act.

View the West Bengal Govt. Notification

Tripura Pay Hike : waiting for Election Commission clearance

The Left Front in Tripura confronts a major problem related to implementation of pay hikes to the 1.5 lakh employees of state government, PSUs and autonomous bodies before Lok Sabha elections.

The rules of pay prepared by the state government for the pay hikes was sent to the Election Commission in Delhi on March 30 by the state election department for clearance but the matter is still pending.

The Opposition Congress, however, has already made it a major issue in its election campaign. It is blaming the “lackadaisical” administration for the delay in implementing the hiked pay proposals.

Official sources said without the commission’s clearance increased salaries and allowance could not be paid to the employees.

“We are waiting for the commission’s clearance and we hope it will come early because it has already cleared the hike in pay and allowances for central PSU employees and those of West Bengal government employees,” a source in the state secretariat said.

Summary of BSNL Wage Negotiation Meeting held on 01.04.2009

In the emergent wage negotiation committee meeting held on 2.04.2009, the management side proposed fitment benefit on par with executives (30% on pay + 68.8% DA on 01.01.2007) for 10 year wage agreement, and proposed 10% fitment benefit for 5 year agreement. Union demanded and argued strongly for 5 year agreement with fitment benefit on par with executives. The union demanded interim relief at the rate of 50% of pay or Rs.3000/- per month, whichever is more, w.e.f. 01.01.2007. Management side said, interim relief can be decided on the basis of decision on fitment formula. Next meeting will be held on 08.04.2009.

View the confidential minutes of the meeting.

PSU Executive Pay Hike : Some Details.

The recommended hike ranges between 57 per cent and 379 per cent.

Over 210,000 executives in estimated 240 central public sector undertakings are in for a bonanza with a pay revision committee recommending a massive hike in their annual cost-to-company. The hike ranges between 379 per cent at the highest level and 57 per cent at the lowest across companies and levels.

This is assuming the maximum possible payout an executive can get. The award, if accepted, would mean that government servants, particularly defence personnel, would be paid far less in comparison even if one takes into account the recent hike recommended by the Sixth Pay Commission.

The second PSU pay revision committee, headed by former Supreme Court Justice M Jagannadha Rao, submitted its recommendations today to Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Sontosh Mohan Dev.

"We are giving more authority to the companies. They can earn more profit and can share it with their employees," he said. The report has been sent to the Prime Minister's Office and the finance ministry. After it is examined, a final proposal will be put up for Cabinet approval. The process could take three-six months.

Shorn of variable components like risk pay and performance-related pay, the effective pay hike works out to between 25 per cent and 40 per cent, according to SM Dewan, director general, Standing Conference of Public Enterprises. "This is a paradigm shift in the government's thinking on running a business enterprise. It does not put us on a par with private sector companies, but it is a very good beginning," he added.   PSU GRAVY TRAIN No of CPSUs CMD Directors E5 E0 E/P E/P E/P E/P CategoryA+ 11 10.89/52.20 (379.33%) 10.35/36.96 (257.10%) 6.96/15.92 (122.98%) 3.8/7.66 (101.57%) Category A 45 10.89/41.76 (283.47%) 10.35/34.21 (230.53%) 6.96/12.69 (82.32%) 3.80/6.23 (63.94%) Category B 51 10.35/38.7 (273.91%) 9.13/29.28 (220.70%) 6.96/13/48 (93.67%) 3.8/6.97 (83.42%) Category C 52 9.13/29.28 (220.70%) 8.36/21.42 (156.22%) 6.96/12.79 (83.76%) 3.8/6.35 (67.10%) Category D 57 8.36/24.96 (198.56%) 8/19.56 (44.50%) 6.96/12.18 (75%) 3.8/5.98 (57.36%) Figures in Rs lakh/ annum are the total cost-to-company, inclusive of basic, risk pay, all perks and performance related pay.These amounts are the maximum payable. Figures in bracket are the % increase over existing annual CTC    E0: Entry level; E5: Mid level; E/P: Existing/Proposed The revised salary structure is proposed to come into effect from January 1, 2007.  The proposed pay structure seeks to reduce the disparity between public sector executives and their private sector counterparts and introduce a performance-based compensation culture.

In another far-reaching recommendation, the award calls for complete delinking of public sector and government pay scales. PSU employees are proposed to get much more than government officials.

For instance, the chairman and managing director of a company like ONGC, NTPC or Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd is proposed to be paid Rs 52.20 lakh a year, much more than the annual compensation of Rs 15 lakh (inclusive of all allowances and perks) that a secretary in the central government will get if the Sixth Pay Commission award is implemented in toto. On a strictly fixed-pay basis, a public sector chairman and director will get Rs 1.25 lakh a month in category A and Rs 65,000 a month in category D companies. In comparison, a government secretary will be paid a fixed Rs 80,000, while the cabinet secretary will be paid Rs 90,000 a month.

The report also recommends that central PSUs be categorised into five (A +, A, B, C, D) based on turnover, manpower and geographical spread.

"We want total delinking of PSUs from the government as we want them to become profitable and strong," said Board for Reconstruction of Public Sector Enterprises Chairman Nitish Sengupta, who was a member of the committee.

The pay will be split into two components, basic pay and risk pay, with the latter depending on categorisation, profitability and the executive's grade. Loss-making firms will not be required to shell out risk pay.

Pay panel's other recommendations

Employee stock options, linked to performance pay Performance-related payout amounting to 40-200 per cent of basic pay Risk pay of Rs 1,100 to Rs 25,000 per month New pay scale of Rs 65,000 - 75,000 of E-10 in A+ companies Sick companies to be allowed pay revision (without risk pay or variable pay) if they make cash profit Central PSUs not making cash profits to be examined by the Board for Reconstruction of Public Sector Enterprises CMDs and directors of sick central PSUs which have seen a turnaround will retire at 60 No upper limit on gratuity Separate fund for post-retirement medical treatment and to meet emergency needs of those who have retired Revision of pay for non-unionised supervisors to be decided by board of directors Retirement benefit of 30 per cent of basic pay, which includes CPF, pension, gratuity and post-retirement medical benefits Source : Business Standard.  Report of 2nd Pay Revision Committee For Executives of CPSEs Latest Office Memorandum on PSU executive pay hike.